The Local Government Minister hopes an incoming investment model will better "look after" Wellington's water

Since 2022, the city has lost 40-percent of water to leaks.

Simeon Brown wrote to local authorities for information before Christmas, and is still waiting for details from Wellington City and Upper Hutt councils.

He says he wants to know how they've tackled the issue, before council-controlled organisations begin calling the shots.

Brown wants to see rate payers' money going into water rather than other priorities.

He says it needs to be ring-fenced.